Monday, 15 September 2014

Creative Blog Hop

Thank you to the very lovely and talented Deborah Wainwright aka lilacsparkles for asking me to take part in this Blog Hop. Deborah is an inspiration, she hasn’t been blogging long but her work speaks for itself, i hope you pop over to her Blog and be inspired by her too.

The Blog Hop is about getting to know each other by answering some questions.

Here goes…

Something About Myself

I am female, closer to 60 than 50 but don’t feel old mentally, physically i battle each day with a myriad of medical conditions, each one developing from the other. These medical conditions have really slowed me down, i used to cycle, jog and swim most days, i miss being that fit!

I started making things when i was in my twenties, the first items i made were balsa wood Christmas shapes. The shapes were painted with non-toxic paint and were about 1.5 inches tall, in a set of 10 all for £1. Next it was bookmarks, then it was umbrella lavender bags. I also taught myself to knit and still do this today.

I drove a taxi for four years to put myself through college where i studied and qualified in the following: Clinical Aromatherapy, Reflexology, Thai Massage, Swedish Massage. Then went on to learn Kinesiology, Magnified Healing and Reiki. I cannot practice any of these as both my physical condition and medications would be an issue.

Went on to study for a Teaching Degree, as i don’t have a degree in any other subjects i received a Certificate of Education. I taught IT to 16 year olds who didn’t want to be there… Followed this by specialising in English and took a L4 Qualification to teach adults English.

My health took a turn for the worst and my adventures into the multi-faceted world of crafting began.

I now like to play in any of the following areas of craft:

Rubber Stamping

Papercraft

Altered Art

Dyan Reaveley’s new flower stamps June 2014.

Speed challenge 01 September 2014.

Altered Pringles can, 2013.

Hand and Machine Sewing

Embellishing

Needle Felting

Thread catcher 2014.

Free hand embroidery panel for a small box made with WRMK box board.

Dry needle felting 2013 using shape cutters to make the leaf shapes then needle felting them together. Added a brooch back.

Digital Crafting

Front and back of card made in CAP2 for a friend who had just visited India.

Front and back of iCard for the Craft Barn Q&L Challenge.

Stamped over the edge of a card i was making, scanned into computer and turned into a digital frame using CAP2 programme.

Using the Pen Tool on the Pazzle. I made the design using the PI Software.

Jewellery Making

OH bought me the focal lamp work bead for Christmas 2012, i threaded the matching beads including some Swarovski beads.

Made for OH’s mother for her 70th Birthday.

I also love other crafts like weaving and kumihino but am just starting to play so have no images to share.

Watching Formula 1 racing is a joy i love all the behind the scenes goings on.

Technology is a passion, i adore what we can do with the advancements being made and love to find gadgets that will help me with all of my crafting.

Finally i enjoy gardening in my OH’s garden, oh and of course chocolate and cake.

I think of myself as mediocre at most things and master of none…

What are you working on at the moment?

Catching up on the Documented Life Project journal i started in January 2014, i have enjoyed taking part in something that is all about getting you to play with different crafting skills.

Also working on some Christmas cards and Presents and of course the different Challenges i enter for fun.

Why do you create what you do?

I create things for challenges or for presents or to raise funds for my local Kidney Charity and other charities.

Donated to Lin Brown’s appeal in May 2014.

Donated to raise funds for MacMillan in June 2014.

How does your creative process work?

This is a difficult one to answer; I get lots of ideas floating around at all times of the day and night, i write these down and when i am able i try to make them. I struggle to draw so have a few different journals for practicing doodling, shapes, colouring which i add the floating ideas to. Sounds complicated but my inner control freak needs the order to function without getting frustrated as to where i put that idea down. Oh dear i do sound weird, don’t i. lol.

I need to get the colour scheme right before i can move onto any other part of the process, this is imperative. Once the colours are right i then think about all the other items i might add so i rummage around until i find what i am looking for then place them close by so i can have them within eye contact, i am sure this is what every other crafter out there does, don’t they?

Working with the Documented Life Project has taught me i can use some colours i dislike because it’s just on paper and i don’t have to look at them in my house or wear them, boy that was a huge revelation!

How do you stay focused / motivated?

I stay focused and motivated most of the time because i have to, i use craft as a pain distracting tool so i choose a different craft depending on what i am able to do.

For example my hands are starting to lose feeling and grip so i use hand sewing to keep those skills going, when i need a break i digi-craft or design my own cutting files. As soon as i am able, i go back to rubber stamping as this is my first love and probably always will be.

I hope this little getting to know session has been worth your time and hasn’t been too boring for you. Thank you for taking the time to read all the way to the end.

It’s now time to introduce the three lovely and creative people i have chosen to hand the baton over to.

31 comments:

Wow what an inspiration you are lovely with so many strings to your bow. And all those qualifications im in awe! I love your creatiions and the way you challenge yourself. It has been a pleasure getting to know and now feel i know you a little bit more. Thank you for taking part xxxx

Hello M, great post - was lovely reading a bit more about you the person rather than you the crafter....hope that doesn't sound too rude but I'm sure you know what I mean!! Thank you for thinking of me when it was time to pass the baton on :-) Claire x

Great post, I love reading you and knowing you a bit more, even if you struggle with your health, that's sad indeed. But I think you are a very generous and creative person, with a huge talent!! Warm hugs Coco xxx

Am hoping to get some small projects underway over the Christmas holidays. I share all my other crafts on my two Wordpress Blogs, links are on the right hand side on main blogger page if you want to have a peek.

Pain, oftentimes, is a driving force in creativity. I know, in your case, the creativity gives you only minor and temporary relief, but the joy you give to others through your art is a joyous result. Indeed, you are a very talented and well-rounded individual with an inspiring life history. Your story is moving. Thank you for your willingness to share it with us here! Mwah!

What a fascinating post! It is so interesting when we learn more about someone we have known a while but it always makes me feel guilty I didn't find out more sooner. You are very brave to find out what you can do despite pain getting in the way. You have displayed such beautiful and varied work,

Sorry I'm a bit late dropping by! This is such an interesting and beautiful post! What a lot of varied crafts you have explored and all so beautiful! I love the felting and the embroidery, but all the projects are superb. I love it that you are willing to give things a go and that you don't let pain stop you from creating in some way. This is a post full of hope and creativity. It's been a privilege to be invited in to take a look at your world. Julie Ann xxx

Wow. I am not at all surprised to hear that you are so talented, this is evidenced in your many fantastic creations. I am inspired by your determination to move forward,to always learn and to trying something new. What a brilliant read, thankyou for sharing. Take care. x.